Passy, May 12, 1784.
Passy, May 12, 1784.
Revd Sir,
Reverend Sir,
It is now more than 60 years since I left Boston, but I remember well both your father and grandfather, having heard them both in the pulpit, and seen them in their houses. The last time I saw your father was in the beginning of 1724, when I visited him after my first trip to Pennsylvania. He received me in his library, and on my taking leave showed me a shorter way out of the house through a narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam overhead. We were still talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning partly towards him, when he said hastily, "Stoop, stoop!" I did not understand him, till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man that never missed any occasion of giving instruction, and upon this he said to me, "You are young, and have the world before you; stoop as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps." This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it, when I see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high.
I left Boston more than sixty years ago, but I remember both your father and grandfather well. I heard them both preach and I saw them in their homes. The last time I saw your father was early in 1724, when I visited him after my first trip to Pennsylvania. He received me in his library. When I was taking my leave he showed me a shorter way out through a narrow passage. A beam crossed it overhead. We were still talking as I walked away. He was behind me and I turned partly toward him. He then said quickly, Stoop, stoop! I did not understand him until my head hit the beam. He never missed an opportunity to give instruction. On this occasion he said to me, You are young, and have the world before you, stoop as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps. This advice, thus beaten into my head, has often been useful to me. I often think of it when I see pride humbled and people suffer misfortunes because they held their heads too high.
B. Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin.